SHOULD LOS ANGELES LAKERS TRADE DWIGHT HOWARD?

Let’s start with this, assuming most San Diego sports fans have been concentrating on the Chargers’ transactions, the Aztecs’ recent drama, Tiger’s run at Torrey and Phil’s tax concerns, many of us have the Lakers way under the radar.

So here’s a quick synopsis for San Diego fans who don’t watch the NBA, or can’t find Lakers games on television.

The Lakers are 18-25, and they are in third place of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Clippers of San Diego are in first at 32-12.

When the Lakers acquired Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic, they knew he came with a ton of perceived baggage. His reputation preceded him as a coach killer and a guy with durability concerns.

Should the team fire its second coach of the season before the All-Star break?

Amid the coach talk, Howard is good but not great when healthy. He has been inconsistent at best.

The issue with this team appears to be age and ego.

So does trading Howard, who has been somewhat of “controversial” figure ensure winning? Not likely.

The Lakers should concentrate on fixing their locker room and playing like the old All-Star team they are, rather than tinker with pieces.

Billy Ray Smith:

Trade him. Trade him as soon as possible. I like Dwight Howard (aka Superman) and it pains me to watch him toil while the Lakers try to figure out who they are. There are teams in playoff contention that would love to have Howard on their bench.

This season has been one huge disaster to this point, and the front office is to blame.

All of this drama could have been avoided when Phil Jackson was being considered to resume his duties as the head coach and psychologist — but he wanted too much in return.

How much is too much when we see the Lakers residing in the bottom half of the Western Conference (behind Portland and Minnesota)?

Jackson has that rare ability (rare among NBA coaches) to get every player on the roster to leave their egos at the door, walk into the gym, and win NBA Championships (two as player, 11 as coach).

This team, like any roster in the NBA, is a grab bag of talent and personalities. The talent is the easy part for the head coach.

The personalities need, dare I say, some kind of “Zen Master” to allow them to feel that each and every one of them have a distinct role on this team, and that role is important and valuable.